22 May 2014

SAfrica: Zakhele Mbhele Elected Africa's 1st Black Openly Gay MP

History has been made in South Africa with the election of the first Black, openly gay member of parliament in Africa. Zakhele Mbhele was sworn in to the South African National Assembly on May 22. The 29-year-old Mbhele represents Cape Town and is a member of the Democratic Alliance, the country’s main opposition, reports the London-based Pink News.

"I know what it means as a historical milestone but I’m not walking around thinking of myself as the first openly gay black MP in Africa or singularly defining myself by it," he told [Mamba Online].

"One of the most damaging things about homophobia is its destructive effect on a young LGBT person’s self-esteem. That was certainly one of the issues I grappled with when I was coming to terms with my sexuality in my teen years. Having more openly gay achievers in society can counter that damage by giving young LGBT people role models to inspire them to build their self-confidence and work ambitiously to achieve their dreams."

"[Mbhele] is also the second ever gay MP in an African government, following UK-born Mike Waters' first appointment in South Africa in 1999," adds Gay Star News.

Same-sex acts are currently illegal in at least 38 of 54 African countries. Four nations—Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan—boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity. South Africa and Seychelles are the only African nations that protect LGBT rights. South Africa is also the only African nation to guarantee marriage equality and gay adoption.